Net Neutrality: EBU urges legislators to push for clear rules

The EBU is urging legislators to heed calls for strong and clear rules on net neutrality at EU level, as the process of finalising the proposed European Telecommunications Single Market Regulation enters a crucial stage.

After over one year of intense discussions, EU Member States' ambassadors meeting today in the Permanent Representatives Committee have agreed on a mandate to start negotiations with the European Parliament.

The ensuing talks, which will involve the Latvian Presidency of the EU speaking on behalf of the EU Member States the European Commission and members of the European Parliament, will shape legislation on how providers of Internet access services may manage internet traffic.

The EU legislators must seize this opportunity to reach an agreement which demonstrates the European Union's will to ensure an open Internet.

The Permanent Representatives Committee states that the aim of the draft regulation is to enshrine the principle of end-users right to access and distribute content of their choice on the internet. It also sets out to ensure that companies that provide internet access treat traffic in a non-discriminatory manner.

In addition, Blocking or slowing down specific content or applications will be prohibited, with only a limited number of exceptions and only for as long as it is necessary.

The EBU believes that clear rules are needed to put a halt to any discriminatory practices against particular content, services or application and to any anti-competitive behavior from Internet access providers. A clearly-stated non-discrimination principle for Internet access providers should form the cornerstone of any net neutrality legislation.

EBU Head of European Affairs, Nicola Frank, says legislation guaranteeing net neutrality has universal value: "Innovation, consumer choice and our system of fundamental rights will all be placed under threat without effective legislation to guarantee the open internet. The EBU is urging lawmakers to fulfil their promises to citizens and to businesses by standing up for non-discriminatory internet access."

The adoption of this European mandate comes shortly after what many are seeing as a solid victory for net neutrality advocates on the other side of the Atlantic, with US regulator the Federal Communications Commission approving a series of clear and robust rules last Thursday.

LINK:	http://www3.ebu.ch/contents/news/2015/03/net-neutrality-ebu-urges-legi...
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